Chapter Forty-Two: Brothers, Let's Take Those Bastards Down!

At 8:30 in the morning, the final day of the basketball tournament was about to commence. The three teams that had advanced to the finals gathered in the gymnasium of Flying Eagle Aeronautics Academy, where the order of matches would be determined by a drawing conducted by each team captain.

The draw yielded the following results: at 9 a.m., Tiancheng Polytechnic University would face Huayu College of Design; at 3 p.m., Tiancheng Polytechnic would play Flying Eagle Aeronautics Academy; and at 9 p.m., Huayu College of Design would take on Flying Eagle.

“As the championship and runner-up will be decided by point differential, it’s not enough just to win—we must win by a large margin!”

“In last year’s national collegiate basketball league, Huayu College of Design ranked one hundred and first, while Flying Eagle Aeronautics Academy placed ninety-second,” Yu Manman swept her gaze over the members of her university team. “For you, who finished dead last last year, both are tough opponents.”

“But you will win!”

“Because your coach is world-class.”

“You may not believe in yourselves… but you must believe in me!”

“Did you hear me?”

“We heard you!” the players replied in unison.

“Good! Go warm up!”

Geng Haoshi and his teammates began their pre-game warmup on their side of the court, while the Huayu College of Design players did the same on theirs.

A player from the opposing team, about six feet tall, walked up to Geng Haoshi. With a mocking tone, he sneered, “Well, aren’t you that cocky little guy from the cafeteria last time? Who would’ve thought you actually play for the bottom-feeder team?”

Standing before Geng Haoshi was none other than the captain of the Huayu team—the very guy who’d picked a fight with him in the cafeteria at Yang Mimi’s school. His name was Dai Ritian.

Geng Haoshi retorted without missing a beat, “Oh, you’re that big moron who only bullies the weak when he’s got numbers, who’s lusting after Mimi, and who wanted to eat my leftovers. What an honor to meet you again.”

“You!” Dai Ritian clenched his fists, pointing at Geng Haoshi with his other hand. “Gloat while you can—once the game starts, I’ll crush you and humiliate you on the court. Just wait!”

With that, Dai Ritian returned to his side, muttering to his teammates while shooting glances at Geng Haoshi.

Geng Haoshi thought to himself, Hmph! Even if I can’t destroy you yet, I have plenty of ways to mess with you.

Zhu Di, having seen the exchange, pretended to jog over with the ball to eavesdrop.

Throwing an arm around Geng Haoshi’s shoulders, Zhu Di grinned, “Hey Second, looks like you’ve got some history with that guy. The way he looks at you is pure murder.”

“He’s just an idiot,” Geng Haoshi embellished, “Last time at their cafeteria, he and his gang mocked our team as lifetime losers, said we were worse than pigs and dogs.”

“What!” Zhu Di swung his arms furiously. “Damn it, I’m definitely going to teach him a lesson!”

Geng Haoshi grabbed Zhu Di’s hand, his expression serious. “Brother Zhu, I don’t even know if I’ll get to play today… So, you all have to win! Make that idiot open his eyes.”

“Leave it to me!”

Fueled by rage, Zhu Di went to each teammate, whispering words in their ears.

“Let’s crush them!” Captain Meng Lang was the first to explode.

Zhu Di had spiced up Geng Haoshi’s story even further before telling the rest of the team.

Now, the Tiancheng Polytechnic players glared at their opponents, brimming with murderous intent. Had this been a jungle or a deserted field, they might have torn the opposition apart with their bare hands.

The whistle blew—the match began.

Geng Haoshi sat on the bench, thinking, Mimi said she’d come to watch today. If only I could get on the court.

Just then, a delicate, familiar scent wafted by. Geng Haoshi turned instinctively—of course, it was Yang Mimi! Every time he caught that fragrance, she appeared.

“Brother Second,” Yang Mimi smiled, taking a seat beside him.

So beautiful! As always… Geng Haoshi gazed at her in a daze. “Mimi, will you always sit beside me during my basketball games?”

Noticing her pause, Geng Haoshi realized he might have said the wrong thing. Yet he didn’t regret asking—he truly wanted to know.

Yang Mimi replied firmly, “Of course not.”

“Is that so?” Geng Haoshi forced a smile. The goddess is so blunt… Ha, how ridiculous for a poor, short shut-in like me to expect any other answer. His spirits hit rock bottom.

She giggled. “Brother Second, you’re so silly! Most of the time during your games, you’ll be playing on the court. How could I always be sitting beside you?”

He’d been about to wipe away a tear—so that’s what she meant! Geng Haoshi let out a heavy sigh of relief. “I thought you didn’t like me.”

Oh no! He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. Why can’t I control what I say?

He stole a glance at Yang Mimi—thank goodness, she was absorbed in the game.

His earlier question had been a roundabout confession—and so it was left unresolved. Well, goddesses aren’t easy to pursue. He’d need patience and a flawless plan.

Since Yang Mimi was watching intently, Geng Haoshi turned his focus to the court as well.

One glance, and he was shocked. “Damn! It’s only been a few minutes and we’re already seven points behind?!”

The score stood at 2 to 9, with Tiancheng Polytechnic trailing by seven.

Yu Manman signaled for a timeout.

She regarded the five starters as they came off the court. “Do you know why you’re losing?”

The players shook their heads.

Yu Manman rolled her eyes. As expected, their previous coach must have been useless.

“Their zone defense is tight, and their teamwork is seamless…” But the timeout was only a minute—she had to get to the point. “Never mind that for now. Next, you’ll switch to full-court man-to-man defense. On offense, power forward and center form one group, small forward and shooting guard another. Each pair attacks together, and the point guard coordinates their passing.”

The whistle blew—timeout was over.

“Alright, get back out there!”

Geng Haoshi couldn’t help but shout, “Brothers, don’t forget what they said—teach those bastards a lesson!”